Basketball players like to be on the court and sophomore
forward Abbey Schmitt (Winnetka,
Ill.) is no different and finally after nearly two years away from the court
she's made her return and is lifting the Dartmouth women's basketball team in a
big way.

Schmitt had
an outstanding junior year at New Trier high school outside of suburban
Chicago. The 6-0 forward averaged 17.0 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per
game and led her team to a 28-4 record. She had numerous accolades to her name
including IBCA Class 3A/4A second-team All-State and ESPN All-Area honors. That
junior season would be the last time Schmitt saw the court until the spring
after her freshman season at Dartmouth.

Schmitt
tore her ACL the summer before her senior season and has been working hard to
get back to the court ever since. She made her debut in Dartmouth's
season-opener at Bryant and posted a double-double with 11 points and 14
rebounds, becoming the first Big Green player to post a double-double in their
collegiate debut since Elise Morrison in 2003-04. Her 14 rebounds were the most
for a Dartmouth player since the 2010-11 season.

"That first game back against Bryant was awesome," said
Schmitt . " Coming off of nearly two years of injury, I was a little nervous
and a little rusty, but I have been working hard and trying to put all my
effort into doing the best I can. The double-double was unexpected, but I've
really taken a "leave it on the court" mentality because after being out for
two years you just never know what's going to happen."

The Bryant
game was just a glimpse into Schmitt's potential. So far this season, Schmitt
has been as consistent as they come, posting either double figure points or
rebounds in each game. She's Dartmouth's second-leading scorer with 11.3 points
per game and set a career-high with 18 points against Syracuse on Nov. 29.

Despite a
great start to her collegiate career, Schmitt definitely didn't enjoy sitting
out her freshman season at Dartmouth.

"Sitting
out was hard. I tried to support my team in the best way that I could, but it
was a challenge for me not being on the court. I really just wanted to be out
on the court more than anything."

Schmitt did take the time away to learn as much of the
offense as she could from watching and she was also able to work on basketball
skills during that time.

Finally
back on the court and starting, Schmitt isn't taking anything for granted.

"This is
what I've been working for my whole life, I had to work even harder due to my
injury and it's just really great to be back on the court again. I'm loving
it."

Dartmouth
head coach Chris Wielgus is equally
happy to see Schmitt back on the court.

"Abbey has
worked so hard to get back and after two years out, it's been great to watch
her develop and grow. Her best basketball is ahead of her and we're certainly
glad to have her back on the court."

Schmitt has
always been a fan of basketball and she definitely got it honest. Her father,
Roger, played basketball at Princeton from 1975-79 and started her at a young
age with the sport.

"I'm not really sure why I love basketball. I love the
feeling of running up and down the court, scoring points and grabbing rebounds.
It's just great to be out there. My dad really loves it so he's kind of my
inspiration and the reason that I love it too."

Not only does Schmitt love the basketball team, she also
loves Dartmouth. Knowing that she wanted to play Ivy League basketball at a
young age, Schmitt counts the "warm atmosphere" at Dartmouth as one of her top
reasons for heading to Hanover.

" I love the atmosphere of the Dartmouth community. The
people here are so friendly and although its an Ivy League school people don't
take themselves too seriously and that makes it a great place to be."

Finally off
the bench and back on the hardwood Schmitt is enjoying basketball again and
looks to lead the Big Green to its 18th Ivy League Championship.